Mike Rios recall, Moreno Valley, California (2012)

Contents

An effort to recall Mike Rios from his position on the school board of Moreno Valley, California was launched in March 2012.[1] The recall effort fell short in October 2012.[2]

Reasons for recall

The Democratic Club of Moreno Valley organized the recall effort. The effort was launched in response to attempted murder charges against Rios stemming from a February 2012 incident in which Rios allegedly shot at two men.[3]

Rios faces 35 felony charges including 11 counts of rape, pimping and pandering involving six victims, including two underage girls. Rios also faces two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon and one count of dissuading a witness in connection with the February shooting. Rios claims the charges against him are false and that his enemies are engaging in a “political assassination on me.” Rios was originally held on $250,000 bail, until he made bail and was released.[4] Under state law, Rios is allowed to remain on the school board unless convicted of a felony. On April 10, 2012, the school board unanimously agreed to censure Rios. The board also voted to seek a restraining order against Rios and requested his immediate resignation.[4]

The embattled school board member's trial began on January 31, 2013.[5] Rios faces accusations that he ran a prostitution ring out of his home in 2011 and 2012. A witness in the trial said Rios approached her on the street, gave her a school district business card, and recruited the witness to "gather girls and sell them." Some of the girls who were allegedly involved in the prostitution ring were minors. As the trial continues, Rios continues to attend school board meetings and vote on board issues.[6]

Path to the ballot

Recall organizers needed to submit the signatures of 15% of the 61,500 registered voters in the Moreno Valley Unified School District, or about 9,225 signatures. In late October 2012, recall organizers announced that they had fallen short of the signature requirement, having only gathered 500 signatures.[2] Rios continues to serve on the school board.[5]